The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Hart, Schmeichel and de Gea climb onto the merry-go-round

- By John Barrett sport@sundaypost.com

JOE HART is set to be handed a Premier League lifeline as part of a sensationa­l £150-million transfer merry-go-round that could see the world record price for a goalkeeper broken three times.

If it happens, Hart would end up at Leicester City, with Kasper Schmeichel replacing David de Gea at Manchester United.

The trigger to put the carousel in motion will be pulled by Real Madrid as they seek to renew their long-standing pursuit of the Spain No.1.

Jose Mourinho is desperate to sign striker Alvaro Morata.

While the Old Trafford club are reluctant to sell de Gea, United accept the player’s desire to go home to Madrid.

They would listen to offers around £70-million if it helped get the Morata deal over the line.

United have been made aware of Schmeichel’s keenness to join the club he supported as a boy.

The move is driven in part by his dad, Peter, who won 10 major trophies in his time at Old Trafford.

He celebrated several of them on the pitch with his young son.

Kasper, now 30, signed a new £ 100,000- a- week, five- year deal with the Foxes last summer following their sensationa­l title win.

But has expressed his ambition to play Champions League football on a more regular basis than the Foxes can offer.

Schmeichel has recently switched agents to London- based Italian, Luca Bascherino, who has strong ties with United.

He oversaw Nani and Patrice Evra’s

moves to and from Old Trafford.

Though Leicester’s Thai owners have insisted that Schmeichel is not for sale, they wouldn’t turn down a £50-million bid, especially as Hart is available and for as much as up to £20-milllion less.

His Manchester City future, already in serious doubt, became non-existent after manager Pep Guardiola paid £35-million – the new world record for a keeper – for Benfica’s Ederson.

Hart spent last season on loan in Serie A with Torino, but wants regular Premier League football.

His status as England No.1 has been in the spotlight since his problems at City started.

Now Hart finds himself under threat ahead of the World Cup, from the fit-again Jack Butland in particular.

Some questioned Hart’s role in Scotland’s two goals direct from free-kicks last Saturday.

Butland took over from Tom Heaton at half-time during Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat in Paris and impressed.

Before the match, manager Gareth Southgate admitted: “Jack is coming back from an injury and he has been our No. 2. We think he can challenge for the No. 1 spot going forward.”

Hart’s options have now become severely limited after Everton – the club thought to be his most likely destinatio­n – elected to break the British keeper record with their £ 30- million cheque for Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford during the week.

With no prospect of Hart joining a top-six club – and with the only other tentative interest so far coming from West Ham – Leicester would be the best available choice.

The move would also have the advantage of allowing him to stay at his Cheshire home.

 ??  ?? ■ Kasper Schmeichel.
■ Kasper Schmeichel.
 ??  ?? ■ Joe Hart with David de Gea.
■ Joe Hart with David de Gea.

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